A country with citizens who take themselves and their country way too seriously.

Most people will agree that a country is only a symbol and that what it entitles is its population. And what is "population"? A group of diverse human beings.
What makes the United States different from Belgium? Very little. Its policies and laws may be slightly different, and some cultural and traditional aspects are obviously original to each country.
But apart from that, very little seperates them both. Or from any other country for that matter. Our needs and desires are the same.

So why on Earth are so many people debating the topic?!? Many Americans seem to puff themselves up by imagining that the whole world despises them and is continuously plotting either against them, or at least thinking evil thoughts about them.
Think. Again.
I've lived in Asia, Europe and the US. My father is African and my mother European, and I grew up in a French system. I've been surrounded by different people from different cultures since birth.

I can promise you: we aren't continuously fretting about Americans.The only time we really discuss them is when we read the paper or watch TV, ie through the media, and we only really ponder the effects the government's ideas will have on other countries. There isn't any American-bashing.

US citizen: Why does the whole world hate the United States of America? We haven't done anything wrong!
European: Umm... no. Not the whole world. The only European you'll find bashing the States is an immature adolescent who needs to sound clever by hating some political figure, and doesn't read the paper so picks the only country he/she knows a little about.

The second largest nation on the North American continent, situated between Canada to the north and Mexico to the south.

The only political and military superpower left on earth, it is held in contempt and jealousy by others, albeit sometimes not without merit.

Home to the oldest written constitution still in effect, it has benefited from almost 230 years of political stability. Because of this, and it's many natural resources, it has been blessed to have the largest economy in the world.

Sometimes confused with their government, the citizenry is generous and truly believes in the "American Dream", i.e., that if you work hard enough, and long enough, you can succeed in your endeavors.

It is a country of immigrants, not ethnicity; anyone can become an American, but not all can be a Japanese, or a German, or a Russian, etc.

It's government, such as all governments, has in the past, (and some argue now) let it's people down by not living up to it's expectations. In America however, that government can be removed not by bullets, but by ballots.

Canada's best friend. Who can kick some serious ass. Who has delicious foods, sexy women and is stereotyped. Like really, c'mon guys every country has their asses, not all Americans are stupid, dumb or mean. There is some pretty decent people in that country. And thats coming from a Canadian!

Tim: United States of America sucks.
Hortons: Tim your a dumb-ass, USA rocks!

Let me describe the USA (the country I live in) from an unbiased viewpoint. Yes, many of us are ignorant, stupid, lazy, and racist. Yes, our government and job market is shit. Much of the accusations are true. However, as an American, I don't appreciate predominantly European people generalizing everybody in my country. I am ashamed at many of the things my countrymen have done throughout history, but it is also a country of equality, where anybody can make something of themself if they work hard enough. Home to some of the greatest musicians, inventors, and scientists of all time. And not to be an ignorant American, but we did help greatly in World War Two. Trying to "hog some glory"? More like winning essential battles, including Normandy (perhaps the most important battle of WWII) with the help of the British and Canadians, of course. Even though Europe was in an enormous state of turmoil, and we helped the Allies greatly, they cannot show gratitude, they can only judge us even more. And let me be perhaps the first in a long while to say: France, thank you for your tremendous help during the Revolution, we wouldn't have won it without you. I write this with the utmost respect for European countries, please respect us a little more, and don't just recognize the bad things about the USA, but the good things as well, as I do.

Englishman: The United States of America is full of ignorant, fat assholes!

Americans: Our country is the best and the Europeans are pessimistic retards!

See? Every country is full of ignorant, moronic people! Find the good in each country and their people, and acknowledge the bad, but don't generalize and discriminate.

FTR Canada is actually the best friend of the United States of America as opposed to that "great piece of crap" up north. And also for the most part Canadians and Americans do like each other so this "bitching" you so talk about doesn't really apply except to minority groups.

Person 1: What's that great piece of crap up north?

Person 2: That's no piece of crap at all loser, that's Canada the best friend of the United States of America.